The Ghosts of Rathburn Park

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Eleven-year-old Matthew Hamilton–a.k.a. The Hamster–is new in town, and just about the first thing he does is get lost in the woods of Rathburn Park. It’s a typical boneheaded thing to do, and Matt is trying to decide whether starvation is preferable to the embarrassment of a rescue party when a little dog trots past him. Matt senses that the dog wants him to follow, but as soon as they emerge from the trees, the dog vanishes.

Matt keeps wondering about the dog as he starts to learn more about the town’s strange past. Owned by a wealthy family named Rathburn, the whole town burned down decades ago and was rebuilt nearby. The old ruins are still hidden in the forest, too rickety and dangerous to go near. But they are also best avoided for another reason–ghosts. Still, Matt can’t resist looking for the dog, and as he’s looking, he meets a girl dressed in antique clothes who calls herself Amelia Rathburn. Are she and the dog both ghosts? Or is there another explanation for the strange goings-on in Rathburn Park?

Genres: Ghosts, Childrens, Horror, Young Adult, Mystery, Middle Grade

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Zilpha Keatley Snyder was an American author of books for children and young adults. Three of Snyder's works were named Newbery Honor books: The Egypt Game, The Headless Cupid and The Witches of Worm. She was most famous for writing adventure stories and fantasies.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghosts of Rathburn Park
By: Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
This is an intriguing middle school mystery and all around good ending feel good book. A new family in town trying to make friends, adjust to the move, and the kids are not happy with the move. The story revolves around the 11 year old boy and a girl he meets in the woods. She is said to be a ghost. Also a little dog that is seen and ends up helping him a couple of times. Kept me interested and I think middle grade kids and slightly younger would enjoy it too!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rathburn used to be the town, but it burned down. Are there ghosts still around?

[Magda]

Mysterious and funny and serious and trivial and everything. I especially like the ghost dog.

[Charlene McGrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

Another good book from Zilpha Keatley Snyder. When I was in upper grade school I read Black & Blue Magic & The Velvet Room and loved them both. This book did not disappoint!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book by this author but it was okay. Just okay. I wanted more.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though a cell phone is used (once? occasionally?) in this story, I wonder if it will have appeal to today’s youngsters. The cell phone could have been a much bigger part of the story, making it more contemporary. I find that students have a sense of stories set back 10-40 years ago (books that were contemporary when they were written - I’m not referring to historical fiction) and they steer clear of most of them. Also,so many students now come from split homes with behavior and attitude issues that they may discount the story of a solid family that helps each other in spite of their normal sibling rivalry. How many students will relate to being able to ride around town by themselves on a bike? Wish I’d had this book to offer to my students ten years ago, but middle elementary may enjoy it, especially if they like using their imagination, dogs, and history.
The scariest part for me was Matt’s dreams - rather than the ‘ghost.’ It seemed obvious to me at the beginning that it would be a real person, and not much is left to the imagination at the end, except Rover. We can cheer for Rover for being the helper throughout the story. I thought it might be a homeless family, and with his father being the town manager, they would find a way to help the family.

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love some of the author's other books (The Egypt Game, The Headless Cupid), but this one felt off. I only made it about 40 pages in. The writing felt stilted and somewhat awkward, the characterizations weak and flat. I was not compelled to keep reading, even though I was in what was supposed to be a very high suspense part.

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Snyder was always one of my favorite authors as a child. 'Ghosts' did not disappoint. She writes believably about childhood perils and worries that we've all experienced and delivers characters we can care about. When it's mixed with the supernatural/paranormal, it just makes the adventures that much better!

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another read-aloud that I read with my son, this was an enjoyable story but was not very suspenseful and somewhat predictable. It was a disappointment to find out that there were no real ghosts. I've enjoyed other books by this author more.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Snyder's best work but not terrible either. It was rather predictable and therefore a bit boring, but it was a quick read that refreshed my palate after some heavy studying and for that it was perfect.

[Myvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book have to many unnecessary details, but it have a good ending.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, I'm listening to this one in my travels around the county... good little story. No real ghosts, though.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

My kids loved it. I thought it was awfully boring.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio and found it quite entertaining. Readers may be let down when all is revealed (although some kids will guess it right away). The narrator on this one was good as well.

[Jessica V]

It was an ok book

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started this while I waited for Nanowrimo to start.

It's a fun sort of a story.

[Eric Orchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly entertaining but I found the ending to be a bit of a let down.

[Cheesewheels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to The Velvet Room.

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story, though would have preferred 'real' ghosts, though the dog was adorable!

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice little book , i enjoy reading it , a easy read and get you guessing .

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good one from Zilpha Keatley Snyder. I love her mix of the natural and supernatural. Grounded in reality, but with a bit of mystery. Leaving one to think (as Paul Sutphen always said), "There's more to think of than y'all's thought of ain't it?!" I think kids would like this one and easily relate to the problems with siblings and family squabbles etc.